U.S. patent number 10,753,555 [Application Number 16/523,723] was granted by the patent office on 2020-08-25 for light hanger, light hanging systems, and methods of hanging lights.
The grantee listed for this patent is Derek Dee Deville. Invention is credited to Derek Dee Deville.
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United States Patent |
10,753,555 |
Deville |
August 25, 2020 |
Light hanger, light hanging systems, and methods of hanging
lights
Abstract
A system for hanging lights includes a multiple-light string
comprising a plug, a power cord having a first power cord end
electrically connected to the plug, a length of between
approximately 5 and 20 meters, and a second power cord end opposite
the first power cord end, a cord of lights electrically connected
to the second power cord end to receive power and illuminate at
least one of the lights when the plug is connected to an electrical
mains, the lights strung successively along a length of between
approximately 5 and 20 meters, a plug hurler comprising a throwing
weight and a hurler cord having a first hurler end connected to the
throwing weight and a second hurler end opposite the first hurler
end, and a plug-to-hurler connector comprising a connector body
connected adjacent the second hurler end and defining a plug
capture orifice shaped to removably receive the plug.
Inventors: |
Deville; Derek Dee (Coral
Gables, FL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deville; Derek Dee |
Coral Gables |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
69227267 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/523,723 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200041078 A1 |
Feb 6, 2020 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62713184 |
Aug 1, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V
23/06 (20130101); F21S 4/10 (20160101); F21Y
2115/10 (20160801); F21W 2121/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
21/00 (20060101); F21S 4/10 (20160101); F21V
23/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;362/249.14 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Alavi; Ali
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mayback; Gregory L. Dickinson
Wright PLLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119,
of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/713,184
filed Aug. 1, 2018; the prior application is herewith incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for hanging lights, comprising: a multiple-light string
comprising: a plug for an electrical mains; an electrical power
cord having: a first power cord end electrically connected to the
plug; a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters; and a
second power cord end opposite the first power cord end; and a cord
of lights electrically connected to the second power cord end to
receive power and illuminate at least one of the lights when the
plug is connected to the electrical mains, the lights strung
successively along a length of between approximately 5 and 20
meters; a plug hurler comprising: a throwing weight; and a hurler
cord having: a first hurler end connected to the throwing weight;
and a second hurler end opposite the first hurler end and
configured to removably connect to the plug.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a
plug-to-hurler connector: comprising a connector body connected
adjacent the second hurler end; and defining a plug capture orifice
shaped to removably receive the plug therein.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the connector body is
one of: removably connected to the second hurler end; and fixedly
connected adjacent the second hurler end.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the connector body is a
clamshell having opposing body parts removably connected to one
another and defining the plug capture orifice therebetween such
that, responsive to closing the clamshell, the plug is fixed within
the plug capture orifice, and, responsive to opening the clamshell,
the plug is removable from the plug capture orifice.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the connector body is
connected at the second hurler end and comprises: a central body
portion defining an outer surface; a power cord end having an outer
anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of the
central body portion inwards; and a hurler cord end opposite the
power cord end and having an outer anti-snagging surface tapering
from the outer surface of the central body portion inwards towards
and to the second hurler end.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the connector body is
removably connected to the second hurler end.
7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the connector body is
fixed at the second hurler end.
8. The system according to claim 5, wherein at least the power cord
end defines the plug capture orifice removably receiving the plug
therein such that, responsive to inserting the plug into the plug
capture orifice, the plug is removably fixed within the plug
capture orifice, and, responsive to a given removal force, the plug
separates from and exits the plug capture orifice.
9. The system according to claim 5, wherein: the power cord has an
outer surface; and the outer anti-snagging surface of the power
cord end tapers to the outer surface of the power cord when the
plug is disposed within the plug capture orifice.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the plug has
electrical mains connectors and a plug end having an outer
anti-snagging surface tapering inwards towards and to the first
power cord end; and the connector body is connected to the power
cord at a point at a distance from the plug and comprises a body
portion comprising: a distal end defining a plug orifice; an outer
surface; and a power cord end opposite the distal end and having an
outer anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of the
body portion inwards towards and to the power cord adjacent the
point.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the outer
anti-snagging surface of the power cord end, the outer surface of
the body portion, and the outer anti-snagging surface of the plug
end together form a bi-directional anti-snagging body.
12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the plug end one of
opposite and at an angle to the mains connectors.
13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the electrical mains
connectors of the plug are configured to removably fix within the
plug orifice of the distal end and form a loop with a portion of
the power cord between the plug and the connector body.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the second hurler end
is removably connected to the loop.
15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a
slingshot, the throwing weight shaped to be thrown/shot from the
slingshot over a distance.
16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical mains
is 1.10 v, 120 v, and USB.
17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical power
cord is one of 8 gauge, 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 14 gauge, 16 gauge, 18
gauge, and 20 gauge.
18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cord of lights is
a string of at least one of: successive LED lights; successive
incandescent lights; successive fluorescent lights; successive
bioluminescent; successive chemiluminescent lights; successive
phosphorescent lights; and successive radioluminescent lights.
19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the string of lights
are Christmas lights.
20. A system for hanging lights, comprising: a multiple-light
string comprising: a plug for an electrical mains; an electrical
power cord having: a first power cord end electrically connected to
the plug; an outer surface; a length of between approximately 5 and
20 meters; and a second power cord end opposite the first power
cord end; a cord of lights electrically connected to the second
power cord end to receive power and illuminate at least one of the
lights when the plug is connected to the electrical mains, the
lights strung successively along a length of between approximately
5 and 20 meters; a plug hurler comprising: a throwing weight; and a
hurler cord having: a first hurler end connected to the throwing
weight; and a second hurler end opposite the first hurler end; and
a plug-to-hurler connector comprising a clamshell connector body:
removably connected adjacent the second hurler end; and having
opposing body parts removably connected to one another, the body
parts: defining a plug capture orifice therebetween and shaped to
removably receive the plug therein such that, responsive to closing
the clamshell, the plug is fixed within the plug capture orifice,
and, responsive to opening the clamshell, the plug is removable
from the plug capture orifice; and comprising: a central body
portion defining an outer surface; a power cord end having an outer
anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of the
central body portion inwards to the outer surface of the power
cord; and a hurler cord end opposite the power cord end and having
an outer anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of
the central body portion inwards towards and to the second hurler
end.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present systems, apparatuses, and methods lie in the field of
hanging lights. The present disclosure relates to a light hanger,
light hanging systems, and methods for hanging lights.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable to hang strings of lights on objects, such as
trees. One of the most popular reasons and times for hanging such
lights is in the winter during the Christmas season. Many different
kinds of light strings are manufactured for location and/or holiday
decorations. Previously, most of the light strings used
incandescent bulbs; most are now are manufactured with LED lights.
In either configuration, the light string had a power supply
connector on one end and a power cord extended distally from the
power supply connector along a given length. In the U.S., the power
supply connector typically took the form of a two-prong (male),
110V electrical mains plug. Typical lengths for the power cord were
5', 6', 10', 12', 20', for example. The lights were electrically
connected to the power cord virtually along the entire length. In
other words, a characteristic of all such light strings is that the
first light started at a very short distance from the power supply
connector, for example, one or two feet at most from the power
supply connector. There was a reason why the first light started
very close to the power supply connector. Most light strings were
designed to be connected in series. Therefore, a female electrical
socket (e.g., for the male 110V electrical mains plug) was
electrically connected at the distal end of the power cord opposite
the power supply connector. In this manner, light strings could be
extended for long lengths. One example for creating a long length
was to wrap around the trunk of a tree and spiral along the trunk's
length. If the first light was far away from the plug, and
conversely, if the last light was far away from the female
electrical socket, then there would be a visual discontinuity in
the extended light string, which discontinuity was visually
unappealing. Accordingly, prior art light strings were made to have
the lights appear visually as a single string with no gaps. To do
this, the first light and the last light on the light string were
located carefully near or at the plug or the socket,
respectively.
To hang these light strings on a vertical structure, for example,
from a branch of a tree, the user desired to have the lights start
at the branch and extend downwards from that branch. This is
because it is not visually appealing to have lights go from the
ground up to the branch and then over and down from the branch.
Accordingly, to have the desired light structure hanging from the
branch, the user needed to connect a non-lighted power extension
cord to the mains plug and have the non-lighted power extension
cord hang from one side of the branch and the light string hang
from the other side of the branch. This desired configuration,
however, posed physical and mechanical problems. First, the user
needed to know how to place the distal end of the non-lighted power
cord (having a female mains socket) at the object over which the
cord is hung, e.g., the branch. Next, the user needed to know how
to place the light string's mains plug (at its proximal end) at or
near the branch so that the first light started at or near the
branch and the remaining lights. Third, the user needed to know how
get this two-part connection over the branch in the first place.
Fourth, the user needed to insure that the mains plug remained
attached to the non-lighted power cord while placing the cord-light
string over the branch. Fifth, the user needed to know how to
prevent the mains plug from being removed from the non-lighted
power cord while the two were hanging over the branch.
When a user tried to place the distal end of the non-lighted power
extension cord (having a female mains socket) at the branch, the
user first threw the male mains plug of the power cord over the
branch sufficiently far enough to allow the weight of the plug and
cord on the other side of the branch to pull the female side of the
power cord up to the branch. However, if the user did not hold onto
the female side of the power cord, that cord just went over one
side and weight of the cord brought the entire cord over the
branch. To prevent the power cord from just being thrown over the
branch, the user plugged the male mains plug into the female socket
of the power cord and threw the male end of the power cord over the
branch. That male end was pulled until the female end of the power
cord was located at the branch. However, the weight of the light
string on the near side of the branch routinely caused it to slide
out of the female end of the power cord, entirely defeating the
process of placing the cord-light string on the branch. One way to
insure this connection remained was to tape the two connected ends
together. However, not only did this destroy the ends of the cord
and light string over time due to the adhesive, but also some tape
did not work to keep the connection and/or the tape left sticky
residue on the cord ends. As such, use of tape was not desirable.
Further, branches are not typically smooth, and branches contain
many smaller branches and leaves that are not smooth. Accordingly,
the power cord and/or its ends typically snagged on the branches
and/or leaves. If the male end thrown over the branch snagged, it
did not go over the branch at all. If the female end of the power
cord snagged, the cord might not be able to be pulled down from the
branch after use was ended. Further, the elements, such as wind
acting on the connection between the power cord and the light
string, which wind moved the branches considerably, routinely
caused the connection of the power cord and the light string to
separate, even if connected together by tape.
Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art
systems, designs, and processes as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The systems, apparatuses, and methods described provide a light
hanger, light hanging systems, and methods for hanging lights that
overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the
heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that
provide such features with a secure and tangle-free way to hang
lights from a vertical height above ground.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, a
system for hanging lights comprising a multiple-light string
comprising a plug for an electrical mains, an electrical power cord
having a first power cord end electrically connected to the plug, a
length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, and a second power
cord end opposite the first power cord end, and a cord of lights
electrically connected to the second power cord end to receive
power and illuminate at least one of the lights when the plug is
connected to the electrical mains, the lights strung successively
along a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, a plug
hurler comprising a throwing weight and a hurler cord having a
first hurler end connected to the throwing weight and a second
hurler end opposite the first hurler end and configured to
removably connect to the plug.
With the objects in view, there is also provided a system for
hanging lights comprising a multiple-light string comprising a plug
for an electrical mains, an electrical power cord having a first
power cord end electrically connected to the plug, an outer
surface, a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, and a
second power cord end opposite the first power cord end, a cord of
lights electrically connected to the second power cord end to
receive power and illuminate at least one of the lights when the
plug is connected to the electrical mains, the lights strung
successively along a length of between approximately 5 and 20
meters, a plug hurler comprising a throwing weight and a hurler
cord having a first hurler end connected to the throwing weight and
a second hurler end opposite the first hurler end, and a
plug-to-hurler connector comprising a clamshell connector body
removably connected adjacent the second hurler end and having
opposing body parts removably connected to one another, the body
parts defining a plug capture orifice therebetween and shaped to
removably receive the plug therein such that, responsive to closing
the clamshell, the plug is fixed within the plug capture orifice,
and, responsive to opening the clamshell, the plug is removable
from the plug capture orifice, and comprising a central body
portion defining an outer surface, a power cord end having an outer
anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of the
central body portion inwards to the outer surface of the power
cord, and a hurler cord end opposite the power cord end and having
an outer anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of
the central body portion inwards towards and to the second hurler
end.
In accordance with a further feature, there is provided a
plug-to-hurler connector comprising a connector body connected
adjacent the second hurler end and defining a plug capture orifice
shaped to removably receive the plug therein.
In accordance with an added feature, the connector body is one of
the connector body is removably connected to the second hurler end
and fixedly connected adjacent the second hurler end.
In accordance with an additional feature, the connector body is a
clamshell having opposing body parts removably connected to one
another and defining the plug capture orifice therebetween such
that, responsive to closing the clamshell, the plug is fixed within
the plug capture orifice, and, responsive to opening the clamshell,
the plug is removable from the plug capture orifice.
In accordance with yet another feature, the connector body is
connected at the second hurler end and comprises a central body
portion defining an outer surface, a power cord end having an outer
anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of the
central body portion inwards, and a hurler cord end opposite the
power cord end and having an outer anti-snagging surface tapering
from the outer surface of the central body portion inwards towards
and to the second hurler end.
In accordance with yet a further feature, the connector body is
removably connected to the second hurler end.
In accordance with yet an added feature, the connector body is
fixed at the second hurler end.
In accordance with yet an additional feature, at least the power
cord end defines the plug capture orifice removably receiving the
plug therein such that, responsive to inserting the plug into the
plug capture orifice, the plug is removably fixed within the plug
capture orifice, and, responsive to a given removal force, the plug
separates from and exits the plug capture orifice.
In accordance with again another feature, the power cord has an
outer surface and the outer anti-snagging surface of the power cord
end tapers to the outer surface of the power cord when the plug is
disposed within the plug capture orifice.
In accordance with again a further feature, the plug has electrical
mains connectors and a plug end having an outer anti-snagging
surface tapering inwards towards and to the first power cord end
and the connector body is connected to the power cord at a point at
a distance from the plug and comprises a body portion comprising a
distal end defining a plug orifice, an outer surface, and a power
cord end opposite the distal end and having an outer anti-snagging
surface tapering from the outer surface of the body portion inwards
towards and to the power cord adjacent the point.
In accordance with again an added feature, the outer anti-snagging
surface of the power cord end, the outer surface of the body
portion, and the outer anti-snagging surface of the plug end
together form a bi-directional anti-snagging body.
In accordance with again an additional feature, the plug end one of
opposite and at an angle to the mains connectors.
In accordance with still another feature, the electrical mains
connectors of the plug are configured to removably fix within the
plug orifice of the distal end and form a loop with a portion of
the power cord between the plug and the connector body.
In accordance with still a further feature, the second hurler end
is removably connected to the loop.
In accordance with still an added feature, there is provided a
slingshot, the throwing weight shaped to be thrown/shot from the
slingshot over a distance.
In accordance with still an additional feature, the electrical
mains is one of 110 v, 120 v, and USB.
In accordance with yet an added feature, the electrical power cord
is one of 8 gauge, 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 14 gauge, 16 gauge, 18
gauge, and 20 gauge.
In accordance with an added feature, the cord of lights is a string
of at least one of successive LED lights, successive incandescent
lights, successive fluorescent lights, successive bioluminescent,
successive chemiluminescent lights, successive phosphorescent
lights, and successive radioluminescent lights.
In accordance with a concomitant feature, the string of lights are
Christmas lights.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, a
method for hanging lights over an object at a vertical height,
which comprises the steps of providing a hurler cord, comprising a
first hurler end at which a throwing weight is connected and a
second hurler end opposite the first hurler end, with a
plug-to-hurler connector adjacent the second hurler end, the
plug-to-hurler connector comprising a connector body and defining a
plug capture orifice, throwing the throwing weight of the plug
hurler over the object so that a portion of the hurler cord loops
over the object with the throwing weight hanging from a first side
of the object and with the second hurler end hanging from a second
side of the object, attaching a first end of a multiple-light
string adjacent the second hurler end by removably inserting a plug
of the multiple-light string into the plug capture orifice, the
multiple-light string comprising the plug, an electrical power cord
comprising a first power cord end electrically connected to the
plug, a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, and a
second power cord end opposite the first power cord end, and a cord
of lights electrically connected to the second power cord end to
receive power and illuminate at least one of the lights when the
plug is connected to an electrical mains, the lights strung
successively along a length of between approximately 5 and 20
meters, and pulling the hurler cord further over the object so that
the plug-to-hurler connector passes over the object from the second
side to the first side and a given length of the power cord hangs
from the first side of the object.
With the objects in view, there is also provided a method for
hanging lights over an object at a vertical height, which comprises
the steps of providing a hurler cord, comprising a first hurler end
at which a throwing weight is connected and a second hurler end
opposite the first hurler end, with a plug-to-hurler connector
adjacent the second hurler end, the plug-to-hurler connector
comprising a connector body and defining a plug capture orifice,
removably inserting a plug of a multiple-light string into the plug
capture orifice to removably fix the multiple-light string to the
plug-to-hurler connector, the multiple-light string comprising the
plug, an electrical power cord comprising a first power cord end
electrically connected to the plug, a length of between
approximately 5 and 20 meters, and a second power cord end opposite
the first power cord end, and a cord of lights electrically
connected to the second power cord end to receive power and
illuminate at least one of the lights when the plug is connected to
an electrical mains, the lights strung successively along a length
of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, throwing the throwing
weight of the plug hurler over the object so that a portion of the
hurler cord loops over the object with the throwing weight hanging
from a first side of the object and with the second hurler end
hanging from a second side of the object, and, with the plug
removably inserted in the plug capture orifice, pulling the hurler
cord further over the object so that the plug-to-hurler connector
passes over the object from the second side to the first side and a
given length of the power cord hangs from the first side of the
object.
With the objects in view, there is also provided a method for
hanging lights over an object at a vertical height, which comprises
the steps of providing a hurler cord comprising a first hurler end
at which a throwing weight is connected and a second hurler end
opposite the first hurler end, providing a multiple-light string
comprising a first end, a plug at the first end, an electrical
power cord comprising a first power cord end electrically connected
to the plug, a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, and
a second power cord end opposite the first power cord end, a cord
of lights electrically connected to the second power cord end to
receive power and illuminate at least one of the lights when the
plug is connected to an electrical mains, the lights strung
successively along a length of between approximately 5 and 20
meters, and a plug-to-hurler connector adjacent the first power
cord end, the plug-to-hurler connector comprising a connector body
fixed at a distance from the first power cord end and defining a
plug orifice, forming a loop with the power cord by removably
inserting the plug into the plug orifice, removably attaching the
second hurler end to the loop, throwing the throwing weight of the
plug hurler over the object so that a portion of the hurler cord
loops over the object with the throwing weight hanging from a first
side of the object and with the second hurler end hanging from a
second side of the object, and pulling the hurler cord further over
the object so that the plug-to-hurler connector passes over the
object from the second side to the first side and a given length of
the power cord hangs from the first side of the object.
In accordance with another mode, the plug-to-hurler connector is
removably fixed adjacent the second hurler end.
In accordance with a further mode, the plug-to-hurler connector is
fixed to the second hurler end.
In accordance with an added mode, the plug is a plug for an
electrical mains configured to removably secure in the plug capture
orifice.
In accordance with an additional mode, the connector body of the
plug-to-hurler connector is fixed to the power cord at a distance
from the plug and the plug is removably fixed to the plug capture
orifice to form a loop with the power cord and, which further
comprises removably attaching the second hurler end to the
loop.
In accordance with yet another mode, the power cord is pulled on
the first side of the object so that a given length of the cord of
lights hangs from the second side of the object above ground.
In accordance with yet a further mode, the plug is attached to the
connector before throwing the weight over the object.
In accordance with yet an added mode, the connector and the power
cord together form a bi-directional anti-snagging body.
In accordance with yet an additional mode, the connector body is
provided with a central body portion defining an outer surface, a
power cord end having an outer anti-snagging surface tapering from
the outer surface of the central body portion inwards, and a hurler
cord end opposite the power cord end and having an outer
anti-snagging surface tapering from the outer surface of the
central body portion inwards towards and to the second hurler end,
the outer anti-snagging surface of the power cord end, the outer
surface of the central body portion, and the outer anti-snagging
surface of the hurler cord end together form a bi-directional
anti-snagging body.
In accordance with again another mode, the plug is attached into
the plug orifice before throwing the weight over the object.
In accordance with again a further mode, the plug is a plug for an
electrical mains configured to removably secure in the plug
orifice.
In accordance with a concomitant mode, the plug is provided with an
outer anti-snagging surface tapering inwards towards and to the
first power cord end and the connector body is provided with an
outer surface and a power cord end having an outer anti-snagging
surface tapering from the outer surface inwards towards and to the
power cord, the outer anti-snagging surface of the power cord end,
the outer surface of the connector body, and the outer
anti-snagging surface of the plug end together form a
bi-directional anti-snagging body.
With the light hanger, the light hanging systems, and the methods
described herein, the user can easily place the non-lighted portion
on one side of the vertical structure (e.g., the branch) and the
lighted portion on the other side of the vertical structure. The
light hanger, the light hanging systems, and the methods described
herein also allow the user to easily send the male plug over the
vertical structure. There is no longer a problem with placing the
first light at or adjacent the vertical structure because the user
can move one end or another of the light hanger to place the
transition point at the vertical structure. When this occurs, the
first light of the light hanger is at any desired position with
respect to the vertical structure (e.g., at or near the branch) and
the remaining lights hang down from the vertical structure. There
is no longer an issue with how to place a two-part connection over
the branch because, after the pull cord is used to place the light
string on the vertical structure, the only item hanging on the
vertical structure is a single, integral cord--one absent of an
intermediate connection that can come apart. Thus, with the light
hanger, the light hanging systems, and the methods described
herein, there no longer is two-part plug-socket connector at the
vertical structure. Because this two-part plug-socket connector no
longer appears at the vertical structure, there is no need for
preventing a mains plug located at the vertical structure from
being removed from the non-lighted power cord while the two are
hanging over the branch.
Although the systems, apparatuses, and methods are illustrated and
described herein as embodied in a light hanger, light hanging
systems, and methods for hanging lights, it is, nevertheless, not
intended to be limited to the details shown because various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known
elements of exemplary embodiments will not be described in detail
or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the
systems, apparatuses, and methods.
Additional advantages and other features characteristic of the
systems, apparatuses, and methods will be set forth in the detailed
description that follows and may be apparent from the detailed
description or may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments.
Still other advantages of the systems, apparatuses, and methods may
be realized by any of the instrumentalities, methods, or
combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the
systems, apparatuses, and methods are set forth in the appended
claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the systems,
apparatuses, and methods are disclosed herein; however, it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of
the systems, apparatuses, and methods, which can be embodied in
various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the
systems, apparatuses, and methods in virtually any appropriately
detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are
not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an
understandable description of the systems, apparatuses, and
methods. While the specification concludes with claims defining the
systems, apparatuses, and methods of the invention that are
regarded as novel, it is believed that the systems, apparatuses,
and methods will be better understood from a consideration of the
following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in
which like reference numerals are carried forward.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to
identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate
views, which are not true to scale, and which, together with the
detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of
the specification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments
and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance
with the systems, apparatuses, and methods. Advantages of
embodiments of the systems, apparatuses, and methods will be
apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an exemplary embodiment
of a light hanger;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a plurality of the
light hangers of FIG. 1 draped over various vertical structures as
tree branches with plugs connected to an electrical mains;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational and partially hidden view
of a plug end of the light hanger of FIG. 1 connected to an
exemplary embodiment of a plug-to-hurler connector that is fixed to
a hurler cord;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of a plug-to-hurler connector that is removably
connected to a hurler cord;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of a plug-to-hurler connector that is fixed to a power
cord;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the plug-to-hurler
connector of FIG. 5 looped to connect to a hurler cord and
removably closed to form an anti-snagging connector, and
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of an exemplary embodiment
of a light hanger system and a method for hanging lights over a
vertical structure with a slingshot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
As required, detailed embodiments of the systems, apparatuses, and
methods are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that
the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the systems,
apparatuses, and methods, which can be embodied in various forms.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed
herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis
for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the systems, apparatuses,
and methods in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be
limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of
the systems, apparatuses, and methods. While the specification
concludes with claims defining the features of the systems,
apparatuses, and methods that are regarded as novel, it is believed
that the systems, apparatuses, and methods will be better
understood from a consideration of the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference
numerals are carried forward.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are
shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural or logical changes may be made without departing from
the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to
be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the
spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known
elements of exemplary embodiments of the systems, apparatuses, and
methods will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as
not to obscure the relevant details of the systems, apparatuses,
and methods.
Before the systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed and
described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein
is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is
not intended to be limiting. The terms "comprises," "comprising,"
or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or
apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only
those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed
or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An
element proceeded by "comprises . . . a" does not, without more
constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical
elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises the element. The terms "including" and/or "having," as
used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The
terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than
one. The term "plurality," as used herein, is defined as two or
more than two. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at
least a second or more. The description may use the terms
"embodiment" or "embodiments," which may each refer to one or more
of the same or different embodiments.
The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives,
may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not
intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each
other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct
physical or electrical contact (e.g., directly coupled). However,
"coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct
contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with
each other (e.g., indirectly coupled).
For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "A/B" or
in the form "A and/or B" or in the form "at least one of A and B"
means (A), (B), or (A and B), where A and B are variables
indicating a particular object or attribute. When used, this phrase
is intended to and is hereby defined as a choice of A or B or both
A and B, which is similar to the phrase "and/or". Where more than
two variables are present in such a phrase, this phrase is hereby
defined as including only one of the variables, any one of the
variables, any combination of any of the variables, and all of the
variables, for example, a phrase in the form "at least one of A, B,
and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A,
B and C).
Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the
like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from
another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying
any actual such relationship or order between such entities or
actions. The description may use perspective-based descriptions
such as up/down, back/front, top/bottom, and proximal/distal. Such
descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are
not intended to restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations
in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding
embodiments; however, the order of description should not be
construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.
As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" applies to all
numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms
generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art
would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the
same function or result). In many instances these terms may include
numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. As used
herein, the terms "substantial" and "substantially" means, when
comparing various parts to one another, that the parts being
compared are equal to or are so close enough in dimension that one
skill in the art would consider the same. Substantial and
substantially, as used herein, are not limited to a single
dimension and specifically include a range of values for those
parts being compared. The range of values, both above and below
(e.g., "+/-" or greater/lesser or larger/smaller), includes a
variance that one skilled in the art would know to be a reasonable
tolerance for the parts mentioned.
Herein various embodiments of the systems, apparatuses, and methods
are described. In many of the different embodiments, features are
similar. Therefore, to avoid redundancy, repetitive description of
these similar features may not be made in some circumstances. It
shall be understood, however, that description of a first-appearing
feature applies to the later described similar feature and each
respective description, therefore, is to be incorporated therein
without such repetition.
Described now are exemplary embodiments. Referring now to the
figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of a light hanger
that is part of a light hanging system. The light hanger comprises
a multiple-light string or cord 1 having at a proximal end a plug
10 for an electrical mains 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the plug
10 is a two-prong (male), 110V electrical mains plug.
Alternatively, the plug 10 can be a 120V electrical mains, a USB
power connector, or any other equivalent power connector. The
multiple-light string 1 comprises an electrical power cord 12 and a
cord of lights 18. The power cord 12 has a first power cord end 14
electrically connected to the plug 10 and a second power cord end
16 opposite the first power cord end 14. The length of the power
cord 12 is between approximately 2 meters and approximately 20
meters in an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the
power cord 12 is 8 gauge, but the power cord can be any gauge,
e.g., 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20 gauge. Most vertical structures
over which the multiple-light string 1 is to be hung are envisioned
to between 3 and 10 meters above the ground (even though structures
higher than 10 meters are possible as well). Accordingly, the
length is selected to be sufficient to run from the electrical
mains 2 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) to the vertical structure 3, examples
of which are shown in FIG. 2 as branches of a tree. Thus, a
particular length of the power cord 12 is between approximately 5
meters and approximately 15 meters. In particular, the length of
the power cord 12 is between approximately 10 meters and
approximately 15 meters. As described in further detail below, a
plurality of multiple-light strings 1 are part of a light hanger
set or light hanger system. The length of each power cord 12 can be
the same for each of the plurality of multiple-light strings 1. In
an alternative embodiment, the length is different for some of the
multiple-light strings 1. The cord of lights 18 is electrically
connected at a second power cord end 16 (which, in the exemplary
embodiment, is not a terminal end of the power cord 12 supplying
power to the cord of lights 18 but, instead, is a place on the
multiple-light string 1 at which a first light of the cord of
lights 18 is located). The power cord 12 supplies power to the cord
of lights 18 and illuminates at least one of the lights when the
plug 10 is connected electrically to the electrical mains 2. The
cord of lights 18 has individual lights strung along a length of
light cord 19 that is between approximately 5 meters long and
approximately 15 meters long. The cord of lights 18 are individual
lights placed successively on the light cord 19, or they are placed
in multiple bunches of 2, 3, or more lights. The lights can be
Christmas lights. As used herein, the lights can be any
light-illuminating device including, but not limited to,
incandescent, fluorescent, bioluminescent, chemiluminescent,
phosphorescent, radioluminescent, and light-emitting diode (LED)
lights. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the cord of
lights 18 is between approximately 2 meters and approximately 20
meters. More specifically, the length is between approximately 5
meters and approximately 15 meters. In particular, the light is
between approximately 5 meters and approximately 10 meters.
Each of the multiple-light strings 1 is configured to have the
power cord 12 run from the electrical mains 2 up to the vertical
structure 3 and to have the cord of lights 18 hang down from the
vertical structure 3 (on the other side thereof) to a given
distance as shown in FIG. 2. In the examples shown in FIG. 2, the
lengths of the power cords 12 are the same and the lengths of the
cord of lights are also the same, but these lengths can be set to
different lengths for particular applications. For example, if some
branches are 10 meters high and some are 5 meters high and some are
3 meters high, then if the lengths of the cord of lights 18 are
desired to end at the same height above ground, e.g., at 1 meter
above ground, then some sets of lights 18 can be 9 meters long,
some can be 4 meters long, and some can be 2 meters long,
respectively.
As is apparent, with vertical structures 3 being at 3, 5, or 10
meters high, a person cannot simply reach up and pass the plug 10
over the branch, for example. That plug 10 needs to be passed over
the vertical structure 3. Accordingly, the light hanger system
comprises a plug hurler 20. One exemplary embodiment of the plug
hurler 20 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and another exemplary
embodiment of the plug hurler 20 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug hurler
20 comprises a throwing weight 22, a hurler cord 24, and a
plug-to-hurler connector 30. A first hurler end 26 of the hurler
cord 24 is connected to the throwing weight 22. The plug-to-hurler
connector 30 is connected to a second hurler end 28 opposite the
first hurler end 26. In this embodiment, the connection of the
plug-to-hurler connector 30 to the second hurler end 28 can be
permanent or it can be removable. The permanent connection can take
any form. For example, the plug-to-hurler connector 30 can have a
proximal orifice in which the second hurler end 28 is fixed, for
example, with an adhesive or epoxy.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment where the connection of
the plug-to-hurler connector 30 to the second hurler end 28 is
removable. In this configuration, the second hurler end 28 has an
anchor 29. The anchor 29 can take any form and even can be a knot
tied at the end of the hurler cord 24 or it can be a widening
formed at the end, such as a melting of synthetic materials into a
knob or a heat-set end cap, or an end finish such as soft eye
splice or a hard eye splice that contains a shaped insert, such as
a teardrop. This anchor 29 is shaped/sized to insert into a portion
of the plug-to-hurler connector 30 and remain there until removed
by a user. One exemplary embodiment of the anchor-to-connector
attachment has one of the halves of the plug-to-hurler connector 30
define a pocket and a cord channel. The cord channel allows the
distal end of the hurler cord 24 to lie therein as the anchor 29 is
placed within the pocket at the interior end of the cord channel.
The pocket can have any shape. For example, the pocket can be a
concave disc with the cord channel traveling from the proximal end
of the plug-to-hurler connector 30 up to and through the disc. The
anchor 29 can be convexly shaped to fit matingly within the disc
such that any force by the hurler cord 24 on the anchor 29 is
counteracted by the disc with the disc shape keeping the convex
shaped anchor 29 from moving out therefrom.
In the removable embodiment, the plug-to-hurler connector 30
comprises a connector body 32 in the form of a clamshell having
opposing body parts 33, 35 removably connectable to one another.
The removable connection of the shell halves 33, 35 can be, for
example, a pin on one shell half 33 having a split head that
inserts into a press fit orifice on the other shell half 35. An
exterior strip of a hook-and-loop fastener can be long enough to
encircle the clamshell and keep the shell halves 33, 35 together
from the outside as another exemplary configuration. One or both of
the shell halves 33, 35 define a plug capture orifice 34
therebetween. Either one shell half 33 or the other shell half 35
can define the entirety of the plug capture orifice 34 or both can
define a portion of the plug capture orifice 34, wherein for an
entirely centered orifice 34, both halves 33, 35 define one-half of
the plug capture orifice 34. The plug capture orifice 34 is shaped
so that, responsive to closing of the clamshell, the plug 10
becomes fixed within the plug capture orifice 34. For example, the
plug capture orifice 34 can have a form-locking shape substantially
the same as the outline of the plug 10 when disposed therein. A
form-locking or form-fitting connection is one that connects two
elements together due to the shape of the elements themselves, as
opposed to a force-locking connection, which locks the elements
together by force external to the elements. This form-locking
fixation is defined to remain fixed when a maximum defined force is
placed by the user on either or both of the hurler cord 24 and/or
the multiple-light string 1 (e.g., when pulling one during use).
This maximum force is defined by the amount of force necessary to
pull one or both of the parts over the vertical structure 3 as well
as the force that is needed to pull one or both of the parts away
from the vertical structure 3 if some part becomes stuck or snagged
at the vertical structure 3. Responsive to opening the clamshell by
the user (and, desirably, not by typical forces or actions that
occur when moving one or both of the hurler cord 24 and/or the
multiple-light string 1 over the vertical structure 3), the plug 10
is easily removable from the plug capture orifice 34 by a user. If
desired, the plug 10 can have features that assist in holding the
plug 10 within the plug capture orifice 34. Such features can be
force-locking features. One exemplary embodiment of a force-locking
feature can provide the plug 10 with a central cylindrical bore
(see, e.g., FIG. 3) partly or completely through the body of the
plug 10. Correspondingly, one of the shell halves 33, 35 provides a
boss 31 within the plug capture orifice 34 having a cylindrical
shape substantially the same as the bore and orthogonal to the
longitudinal directions of the hurler cord 24 or the power cord 12.
In such a configuration, when the bore of the plug 10 is slid over
the boss, the plug 10 cannot be pulled out of the plug capture
orifice 34 (in the longitudinal directions of the hurler cord 24 or
the power cord 12) without shearing off the boss. The boss 31 is
illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 4 with the small circle within
the plug capture orifice 34 and the orifice in the plug 10 is
illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3.
Another example for securing the plug 10 into the plug-to-hurler
connector 30 takes advantage of the lateral holes present in
standard electrical mains connectors 11 (e.g., male flat Edison
connectors). The connector body 32 is formed with a female Edison
plug having one or more movable cross-rods that, when actuated,
pass through and mechanically lock within the holes in the blades
of the electrical mains connectors 11. In such a configuration, the
connector body 32 does not need to be made larger than the outer
diameter of the plug 10. Instead, the outer diameter of the
connector body 32 can be the same shape and size as the body of the
plug 10. Then, when the electrical mains connectors 11 are inserted
into the female Edison plug, the movable cross-rods pass though the
holes and lock the electrical mains connectors 11 to and within the
connector body 32. This allows the connector body 32 to have a
lower profile and provides a logical way to connect the two parts
by, for example, pressing in a button that extends the cross-rod(s)
and then pressing it again to release the cross-rod(s). In such a
configuration, the male plug 10 forms the right half of the
connector parts 30, 32 and can be a simple frusto-conical shape
that tapers down to the power cord 12. This frusto-conical shape
can have the push button that disengages the mechanical inserts
that pass into and through the male flat Edison connectors.
As indicated, the plug hurler 20 is used to pass the plug 10 over a
vertical structure 3 without snagging. Accordingly, the connector
body 32 defines anti-snagging features at the second hurler end 28
and at an opposing end facing the electrical power cord 12. In the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, a central body portion 36 of the
connector body 32 defines an outer surface 38 that is adjacent a
power cord end 37 and has an outer anti-snagging surface tapering
from the outer surface 38 of the central body portion 36 inwards to
and adjacent the power cord 12. A hurler cord end 39 opposite the
power cord end 37 has an outer anti-snagging surface tapering from
the outer surface 38 of the central body portion 36 inwards towards
and to the second hurler end 28. As the second hurler end 28 is
fixed to the plug-to-hurler connector 30 in this embodiment, the
tapering can extend all the way to the outer surface of the hurler
cord 34. The power cord end 37 defines the plug capture orifice 34
removably receiving the plug 10 therein so that, responding to
pressing the plug 10 into the plug capture orifice 34, the plug 10
becomes fixed within the plug capture orifice 34 with the outer
anti-snagging surface of the power cord end 37 tapering
approximately to an outer surface of the power cord 12. The plug
capture orifice 34 can be open to a side for inserting the plug 10
or a removable cover (illustrated with dashed lines in FIG. 3) can
be pulled away for installation/removal of the plug 10. When
removal of the plug hurler 20 is desired, the plug 10 separates
from and exits the plug capture orifice 34 in response to a given
force exerted by a user.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the plug-to-hurler
connector 30 is fixed to the power cord 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and
5. In this configuration, the plug hurler 20 comprises the throwing
weight 22 and the hurler cord 24. A first hurler end 26 of the
hurler cord 24 is connected to the throwing weight 22. The second
hurler end 28 opposite the first hurler end 26 is to be connected
to the power cord 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the
plug-to-hurler connector 30' is permanently attached to the power
cord 12. A connector body 32' is fixed at a distance from the plug
10 near or adjacent the second hurler end 28. The connector body
32' defines a plug capture orifice 34' shaped to removably receive
the plug 10 therein. The plug 10 comprises electrical mains
connectors 11 on one end and a plug end 13' either opposite the
mains connectors 11 (illustrated) or at an angle to the mains
connectors 11 (not illustrated). The plug end 13' in this
embodiment has an outer anti-snagging surface tapering from the
plug 10 inwards towards and up to the first power cord end 14. In a
particular embodiment, the outer surface of the power cord 12
transitions seamlessly and smoothly to the plug end 13' to form an
outer surface that is substantially smooth. The connector body 32'
is connected to the power cord 12 at a point 15' at a distance from
the plug and comprises a body portion 36' having a distal end 35'
defining a plug orifice 37'. The plug 10 is plugged into the plug
orifice 37' (as shown in FIG. 6) to form a loop of the power cord
12 that can be removably connected to the second hurler end 28. In
the exemplary embodiment, the second hurler end 28 is a loop that
can be threaded over the plug 10 and, when the plug 10 is removably
connected to the plug orifice 37', the plug hurler 20 is connected
to the power cord 12 for installation on a vertical structure.
Snagging is prevented by the taper of the loop at the second hurler
end 28 and the loop of the power cord 12. In this connected
orientation, the outer anti-snagging plug end 13' forms a first
surface that contacts the vertical structure 3 when the plug hurler
20 is used to pull the power cord 12 over the vertical structure 3.
The connector body 32' has a smooth outer surface 38' that
transitions smoothly with the end of the plug end 13' to minimize
snagging. When connected, a power cord end 39' of the connector
body 32' is opposite the distal end 35' of the body portion 36' and
has another outer anti-snagging surface, for example, tapering
smoothly from the outer surface 38' of the body portion 36' inwards
towards and to the power cord 12 adjacent the point 15'. Together,
the outer anti-snagging surface of the power cord end 39', the
outer surface 38' of the body portion 36', and the outer
anti-snagging surface of the plug end 13' form a bi-directional
anti-snagging body.
The throwing weight 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 in the form
of a beanbag that can be thrown by the hand of a user. An
alternative configuration of the throwing weight 22 takes a form
that can be inserted into the pocket of a slingshot and then fired
from the slingshot over the vertical structure 3 trailing the
hurler cord 24. Such a configuration is illustrated in FIG. 7.
In operation, the user connects the plug hurler 20 to the power
cord 12 (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 6). The user then throws/launches the
throwing weight 22 over the vertical structure 3 and allows the
throwing weight 22 to pass or loop over the vertical structure 3
with the throwing weight 22 hanging from one side of the vertical
structure 3 and at least a portion of the hurler cord 24 including
the second hurler end 28 hanging from the other side. The mass of
the throwing weight 22 is sufficient to pull the hurler cord 24 up
and over the vertical structure 3 at least until the user can grasp
the throwing weight 22 or until the throwing weight 22 rests on
ground. Before or after passing the weight 22 over the vertical
structure 3, the user confirms that the plug-to-hurler connector
30, 30' is securely connected to the hurler cord 24 adjacent the
second hurler end 28. The user pulls the hurler cord 24 further
over the vertical structure 3 and raises the plug 10 up and over
the vertical structure 3 and continues pulling the hurler cord 24
until a length of the power cord 12 and/or the cord of lights 18
hangs from the second side of the vertical structure 3 and the plug
10 is back within reach of the user so that the plug 10 can be
inserted into the electrical mains 2. The power cord 12 is pulled
so that a desired length of the cord of lights 18 hangs from the
first side of the vertical structure 3 above ground. When the cord
of lights 18 is electrically connected to the electrical mains 2 to
receive power, one or more of the lights are illuminated.
In the configurations of the plug-to-hurler connector 30, 30', a
first power cord end 14 of the multiple-light cord 1 is attached to
the second hurler end 28 by removably inserting the plug 10 of the
multiple-light string 1 into the plug capture orifice 34, 34'. In
the configuration of FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug 10 is removably
inserted into the plug capture orifice 34 to temporarily attach the
multiple-light string 1 to the plug-to-hurler connector 30. The
throwing weight 22 of the plug hurler 20 is passed over the
vertical structure 3 so that a portion of the hurler cord 24 loops
over the vertical structure 3 with the throwing weight 22 hanging
from a first side of the vertical structure 3 and with the second
hurler end 28 on or hanging from a second side of the vertical
structure 3. With the plug 10 removably inserted in the plug
capture orifice 34, the user pulls the hurler cord 24 further over
the vertical structure 3 so that the plug-to-hurler connector 30
passes over the vertical structure 3 from the first side to the
second side and a length of the power cord 12 hangs from the second
side. The anti-snagging outer surface of the tapered hurler cord
end 39 first contacts the vertical structure. The smooth outer
surface 38 of the connector body 32 and the tapered power cord end
37 follow. In the configuration of FIGS. 5 and 6, the plug 10 is
passed through the loop of the second hurler end 28 and then
removably inserted into the plug capture orifice 34' to temporarily
attach the multiple-light string 1 to the power cord 12. The
throwing weight 22 of the plug hurler 20 is passed over the
vertical structure 3 so that a portion of the hurler cord 24 loops
over the vertical structure 3 with the throwing weight 22 hanging
from a first side of the vertical structure 3 and with the second
hurler end 28 on or hanging from a second side of the vertical
structure 3. With the plug 10 removably inserted in the plug
capture orifice 34', the user pulls the hurler cord 24 further over
the vertical structure 3 so that the plug-to-hurler connector 30'
passes over the vertical structure 3 from the first side to the
second side and a length of the power cord 12 hangs from the second
side. The loop of the power cord 12 first contacts the vertical
structure on its way over the vertical structure. The anti-snagging
outer surface of the plug end 13' first contacts the vertical
structure. The smooth outer surface 36' of the connector body 32'
and the tapered power cord end 39' follow.
In some instances, the user may desire to relieve tension within
the power cord 12 because pulling on the power cord 12 in any
manner when installing the multiple-light string 1 on the vertical
structure 3 could cause damage that might interrupt delivery of
electricity along the power cord 12 if the tension is applied
directly to the electrical wires of the power cord 12. Therefore, a
tension-relieving device can be embedded within the structure of
the power cord 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the
tension-relieving device is a fiber or wire or string that is
embedded and/or over-molded inside the power cord 12. The
tension-relieving device runs the length of the multiple-light
string 1 and acts as a tension member. The length may end at an
intermediate point to either stop or to have a different (e.g.,
lessened/increased) tension but, in either condition, the tensile
strength of the tension-relieving device is greater than any of the
electrical wires of the power cord 12 or of the lights of the cord
18 so that the tension-relieving device absorbs all tension placed
on the multiple-light string 1. To add more lights to the distal
end of the light cord 19, the distal end of the light cord 19 can
terminate with a female Edison as is present in prior art holiday
light strings. In an exemplary embodiment, the extension that is
connected to this female Edison socket comprises only the cord of
lights 18 so that lights viewed as extending from the
multiple-light string 1 are viewed as a single, uninterrupted row
of lights.
Herein, the words "cord" and "string" are used with respect to the
light hanger. These terms when used in the plural are not limited
to a plurality of cords or strings, cords/strings can be a single
cord as well and, therefore, cords and cord are used
interchangably. Cords and strings also are not limited to a
particular type of material. The material can be made of natural
fibers, man-made or synthetic fibers, plastics, and/or metals, to
name a few. Cords also are not limited to a particular structure.
The material can be made of twisted strands, twisted strands with a
central core, or single strands of wires, to name a few. The
embodiments described herein, however, are not limited to
structures mentioned, even though the example of a standard power
extension cord is referred to or is used herein.
It is noted that various individual features of the inventive
processes and systems may be described only in one exemplary
embodiment herein. The particular choice for description herein
with regard to a single exemplary embodiment is not to be taken as
a limitation that the particular feature is only applicable to the
embodiment in which it is described. All features described herein
are equally applicable to, additive, or interchangeable with any or
all of the other exemplary embodiments described herein and in any
combination or grouping or arrangement. In particular, use of a
single reference numeral herein to illustrate, define, or describe
a particular feature does not mean that the feature cannot be
associated or equated to another feature in another drawing figure
or description. Further, where two or more reference numerals are
used in the figures or in the drawings, this should not be
construed as being limited to only those embodiments or features,
they are equally applicable to similar features or not a reference
numeral is used or another reference numeral is omitted.
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the
principles, exemplary embodiments, and modes of operation of the
systems, apparatuses, and methods. However, the systems,
apparatuses, and methods should not be construed as being limited
to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional
variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art and the above-described embodiments
should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those
embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of the systems, apparatuses, and methods
as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *